Corrective chair



B. L. MILLER CORRECTIVE CHAIR Dec. 14,' 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledApril 26, 1951 m-fl# 100A Snventor mmf L M/LER Gttomeg United StatesPatent O CORRECTIVE CHAIR Barry L. Miller, Inglewood, Calif.

Application April 26, 1951, Serial No. 222,992

6 Claims. (Cl. 155-29) This invention relates to a chair structure forthe support, amelioration, and correction of the paralytic and spasticravages of the motor nervous system, the same being particularly helpfulto paraplegics and spastics. While the present chair may be used foraiding the training and coordination of unruly muscles of variousparalytic conditions, both of adults and children, the invention, asherein disclosed, is more particularly adapted as a corrective aid forspastic children and it is an object of the present invention to providesuch a chair structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chair of the characterindicated, that is capable of substantially universal adjustment as tothe angle of the seat and the relative positions of the back and footsupport thereof, so that the chair may be adjusted to a wide range ofpositions between a flat reclining position and a jackknife position inwhich the body is held at an acute angle to the thighs. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a corrective chair inwhich the foot rest or support is independently adjustable and which,from any position of adjustment, automatically moves to accommodateitself to the normal or natural position of the feet according towhether the position of the child is a normal seated position or areclining one.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chair, as indicated,that has outwardly tiltable arms to enable ready access for changing theclothes of the child while occupying the chair, said arms also beingextensible so that the same may be adjusted to various support positionsfor the arms of the child.

A further object of the invention is to provide a chair of the presentcharacter in which the various components are extensible andcontractible as desired so that the chair may be easily adjusted to thesize of the child.

A further object is to provide in such a chair, restraining andcorrective auxiliary devices for both the body and limbs of the child.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a chair structurethat includes an independently usable stand which may be employed as awalking trainer as a further aid to the corrective education of thechild.

The invention also has for its objects to provide such means that arepositive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a workingposition and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture,relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novelcombinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear inthe course of the following description. However, the drawings merelyshow and the following description merely describes one embodiment ofthe present invention, which is given by way of illustration or exampleonly.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts inthe several views.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a chair embodying featuresaccording to the foregoing objects of the invention, the same beingshown adjusted to hold a child in a normal seated position. f

Fig. 2 is a similar View with parts broken away,show ing the chairadjusted to hold a child in a reclining position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view as taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Patented Dec. 14, 1954 Fig. 4 is a front view of the foot rest of saidchair, the view being seen in the direction of arrow 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a similarly enlarged fragmentary sectional View on line 7-7 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view of means employed tolock the adjustment of the chair components.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. l0 is an enlarged front view, partly in section, of combined frontretaining or restraining means and leg corrective means.

The chair that is illustrated comprises, generally, a mobile stand 15,an articulated chair 16 carried by said stand, jack means 17interconnecting the stand and chair for adjusting the tilted position ofthe latter, and means 1S to lock the chair in adjusted position.

The stand 15 comprises side frames 19 integrally connected as by a crossmember 20 of which more than the one shown may be provided. Said frames19 are advantageously formed of metallic tubular elements and, in thiscase, are shown mounted on caster wheels 21. It will be evident thatsaid stand may be employed as a walker by placing a child between frames19 so that he may use rails 22 as hand supports and, thereby bemaintained upright while propelling the stand along the oor.

Said rails 22 are provided with trunnions 23 for a pivot rod 24, thelatter constituting a fulcrum on which chair' 16 is adapted to betilted.

The chair 16 comprises four major components-a seat 25, a back 2,6, afoot support 27, and arm rests 28.

The seat 25 comprises a metal frame formed of side bars 29 fixedlyconnected by transverse members 30, and a seat cushion 31 supported inthe frame thus provided. The mentioned pivot rod 24 extends transverselyat the rear of said frame. As shown, each bar 29 is provided with arearward extension 32 having selective adjustment holes 33 or the like,and with a forward extension 34 having a pivot 3S on the forward endthereof.

The chair back 26 comprises a back support 36 and a head support 37, thelatter being adjustable relative to the former, as shown in Fig. 2, bymeans of a bar 38 atiixed to one support and slidable in suitable waysin the other, the adjustment being locked as by a wing nut 38a. Whileback support 36 may be generally flat or, at most, suitably transverselycurved in the manner of chair backs, head support 37 has a considerabletransverse curvature that results from the provision of side wings 39.These Wings are provided for the primary purpose of limiting theposition of a lolling head.

The back 26 is carried, at the bottom, by a U-shaped transverse frame 40which is fulcrumed on pivot rod 24 on either side of seat 25.

Body restraining means 41 is provided on chair back support 36, thesame, in this case, comprising a fabric band 42 carried at one end by abracket 43 aixed to one side of said support, and separably connectableto a similar bracket on the opposite side. Such or similar restrainingmeans 41 serves thefpurpose of either conlining the body against unduemovement or limiting the body against slipping laterally, depending onthe tightness of adjustment of said means 41.

The foot support 27 comprises a frame 44 depending from seat frame 25 onpivots or hinges 45, a frame 46 within frame 44 and mounted on saidhinges 45, a sliding frame 47 carried by frame 46, and a foot rest 48carried by frame 47 and slidable therewith.

As best seen in Figs. l, 2 and 4, frame 44 is U-shaped and, on the sides49 thereof, carries locking knobs 50. Frame 46 comprises side bars 51that are connected by transverse members 52, said frame being smallerthan and, therefore, adapted to nest within frame 44. The frame sides 51are provided with arcuate slotted rearwardly and upwardly directedextensions 43 which cooperate with locking knobs 50 to effect angularadjustment of frame 46 relative to frame 44, if such is desired. Fig. 1shows one such adjustment, and Fig. 2 a somewhat smaller one. It will berealized that the angular adjustment may be such as to horizontallyalign frame 46 and seat 25 while frame 44 is in a pendent position.

Frame 47 comprises transversely spaced rectangularsectioned tubes 54. Abracket 55 carried by each tube and a foot rest pad 56.transverselyarranged between and connecting said brackets. Said brackets and padconstitute foot rest 4i; and the same is adjustably carried by tubes 54and locked thereto by means of bolts 57.

Such adjustment may be made according to the legv length of the occupantof the seat, a slot 5S in each tube allowing for such adjustment. Acalf-supporting pad 63a extends between tubes 54.

Frame 47 is slidably connected to frame 46 by means of shoulder screws59, carriedby frame 46, engaged in slots 60 formed in tubes 54. Slidingof frame 47 is effectedthrough the medium kof links 6l that connect thementioned pivots 35 of the seat frame and tubes 54. Since pivots 3S and4S are spaced, it will be clear that, as the foot support-27 is swungupwardly, frame 47 is projected relative to frame 46. Such projectioncan be seen in Fig. 2 by. comparison to the relatively retractedposition of frame 47 in Fig. l. Since it is advisable that foot rest 48support the legs-so there is no binding or pressure on the inner side ofthe knee joints, the projection of said foot rest, when swung to theposition of Fig. 2 independently of inclination ofy the chair back,obviates confining of the legs-so that they may fully stretch. While thesliding adjustment thus effected is relatively small-in the nature ofsome two inches, the same is conducive to the comfort of the chairoccupant and to corrective control of the lower limbs of said patientinl all positions of the foot support relative to the seat.

The arm rests 2S are alike. except that they are oppositely formed. Eacharm rest comprises' a metal frame 62.to which is affixedan'upholsteredpad 63 and which frame 62 carries an upwardly extensiblepad 64. Figs. l and 2 respectivelyshow partially extended andcontractedpositionswhich are locked by wing nuts 65 adjustablylconnecting frame 62 and slotted bars 66 affixed to and depending frompad 64.v

The lower endof frame 62, on hinges 67, has slide bars 67a connectedthereto; As best seen in Fig. 7, said bars extend into seats efprovidedin the lower side of the seatcushion 31, aligned-openings-69 beingprovided in frame bars 29. From this structure, it will be clear thatthe` arms rests are laterallyfextensible relative to seat 25 in`addition to being vertically extensible.

Slide bars-67a are connected by a member 70 which mounts a hinged bolt71, the same being adapted to extend through a slot- 72 provided inframe 62; A wing nutv73-on said bolt serves to releasably lock frame 62to member 70 to hold the arm resterect. Release of bolts 71, on bothsides, permits the arms to be outwardly swung, asshown by the dotedashlines-of Fig. 3.

The above-described adjustabilityv of the arms perm-its the chair toaccommodate persons of ditierent size, provides for correctiveelevational positioning ofthe arms, and gives improved-accesstotheoccupant for changing of clothing and for other purposes. Wing bolts 74lock bars 67a to hold the arms-in laterally adjusted position.

The seat25, back- 26 and foot support 27 are interconnected byoppositelydisposed articulated parallelogram frames 75. Side bars 29 and49 comprise two adjacent sides of said frames, and bars- 76 and V77comprise the remaining sidesof said frames. Bars 'comprise integralextensions of frame 4il`and are slightly rearwardly otsettherefrom asshown, to obviate the parallelogram frames locking when'collapsed, as inFig. 2. Bars 77 are connected byvpivots 78'to Athelower endsof bars 77and by pivots 79 to comparable points of side bars 49.

It will be clear that the fourl pivots 24, 45, 78 and 79 will allowlframes 75 to articulate so'that when chair back 26 is swung on pivot 24,foot support 27 will swing through a corresponding arc, a downward andrearward movement of the chair back resulting in a forward and upwardmovement of the foot support and vice versa.

The position of Fig. l represents an intermediate seated position sincethe chair back 26-may be adjusted to incline toward the left to form anacute angle with seat 25, the jackknife position thus attainedbeingdesired for certain corrective retention of the chair occupant. The

position of Fig. 2 represents anl intermediatereclining*y position sincethe chairxbackf may be further adjusted to bef horizontally aligned withthe seat. In any position of the main chair components, the-foot rest48rmay'be" separately adjusted relative to frame 44, both angularly onpivot 4S and longitudinally along frame 47.

It will be noted that bars 77 are each provided with a rearwardextension 80 provided with adjustment holes 81. These holes, togetherwith holes 33, allow for forward adjustment of the seat, and footsupport relative to the seat back, as when adjusting the chair for alarger person.

A locking device 18 is provided to lockthe adjusted positions of theback and'foot support. Said device 18 is shown as an elongated rod83pivotally carried at 84 on a bridge piece 85 of frame 44 androtationally mounted in a iitting 86,fa handle 87 on the opposite end ofsaid rod facilitating such rotation. Rod 83 extends through a sleeve S3carried by an ear 89 on pivot rod 24. A oneway clutch 90 is embodied insleeve 38 and serves to lock rod 83 to the sleevewhen therhandle87isrotated in a direction (clockwise. in Fig.. 9) toA etectwedging of rod'.and sleeve by meansoftclutch 90. Reversezrotation of the handlereleasesA the.. clutch and: enables axial move.-

ment `of the rod in thesleeve when .thech'air componentsv are adjusted.

ln addition to theI above adjustments, jack-.means 17 is provided totilt the chairbodily on its pivot 24 relative.. to frame l5. Said jackmeans is shownxas a bracket 92S a'lxed. to forward transversemernber 3i)of the seat frame, a jack rod 93 pivotally carried by said bracket, a.

suitable powerfadvantage. gear. box 94 through which rod 93. extends, amount 95 pivotally connecting saidA just the angle of seat 25, all theparts-connected to saidv seat bodily moving therewith.

As shownin Figs. l, 3 and l0, a combined body retaining andlegcorrecting device 9SA is provided, the same extending betweenarms-28'. The. device 98 comprises a length-adjustable. bar99l pivotallycarried on a rota-V tional pivot 100. at one end asona bar 10ftsecuredto the front edge of one arm pad 63).v A-similarbar 102' on` the frontedge of the other chair pad 63 releasably holdsvthev other endofadjustable bar 99. The latter bar includes a channel member 103 onwhich is adjustably carried. a pair of padded leg-'engaging elements 104which are curved substantially as shown to either@ engage the outersides of the thighs orthe inner sides,` as suggested by the dot-dashline` position of Fig.' l0. The elements 104, having a varietyofpositions,- may be adjusted'to provide desired corrective restraint ofthe legs.

While not illustrated,` the feet maybe similarly re-4 strained and heldin corrective position'asby means removably attached to foot restv 48;?Spacedseats l05fare provided to mount such foot-correcting` means:

While the invention'that'haslbeenillustrated and described is. now;regarded asthe-l preferred embodiment;

the construction is, of course, subjecttto modications.

without departing from thespiritand scope of the inven' tion. It is,`therefore, not 'desiredito'restrict the invention to the particularforml oflconstruction*illustrated'and' de'- scribed, but to coverallmodications that may'fall within" the scope of the appended claims.V

Having thus described my invention,V what'is"clair`ned'l and desired tobe secured by `Letters "Patentis:

1. A corrective. device of 'the character described, comand stand,releasable lookingmeanslinterconnecting the chair back and foot support'to lockftheadjustment of the` chairback Vand foot-isupportrelativetothe: seat, Vthe chair back Vcomprisingabody support and aJ-.winged-.headsup;

port, the. foot support comprisingzan.independently angu-: larlyadjustable foot rest, means interconnectingtthe;foot=A rest and the seattoshift the .formerrelative tothe support during, pivotalwmovemeht ofthe..support,andthe. arm rests each comprising vertically extensibleportions..-

to vary the height thereof, theementioned..adjustments cooperating toconfine the head,` b'ody and limbs of'. a..

spastic person occupying said seat.

2. A corrective device of the character described, comprising a stand,an articulated chair pivotally carried by said stand and including aseat, a back, a pivoted foot support and a pair of arm rests, jack meansto adjust and lock the tilted position of the chair relative to thestand, said latter means interconnecting the chair seat and stand,releasable locking means interconnecting the chair back and foot supportto lock the adjustment of the chair back and foot support relative tothe seat, the chair back comprising a body support and a winged headsupport, an adjustable body-restraining band carried by the body supportof the chair back, the foot support comprising an independentlyangularly adjustable foot rest, means interconnecting the foot rest andthe seat to shift the former relative to the support during pivotalmovement of the support, and the arm rests each comprising verticallyextensible portions to vary the height thereof, the mentionedadjustments cooperating to confine the head, body and limbs of a spasticperson occupying said seat.

3. A corrective device of the character described, comprising a stand,an articulated chair pivotally carried by said stand and including aseat, a back, a pivoted foot support and a pair of arm rests, jack meansto adjust and lock the tilted position of the chair relative to thestand, said latter means interconnecting the chair seat and stand,releasable locking means interconnecting the chair back and foot supportto lock the adjustment of the chair back and foot support relative tothe seat, leg restraining and corrective means carried by the arm restsand extending across and above the front of the seat, the chair backcomprising a body support and a winged head support, the foot supportcomprising an independently angularly adjustable foot rest, meansinterconnecting the foot rest and the seat to shift the former relativeto the support during pivotal movement of the support, and the arm restseach comprising vertically extensible portions to vary the heightthereof, the mentioned adjustments cooperating to conne the head, bodyand limbs of a spastic person occupying said seat.

4. In combination, a wheel-borne stand comprising spaced parallel framesand a cross rod extending between the upper portions of said frames, achair seat disposed between the frames, said rod extending through therear portion of said seat and constituting a pivot on which said seat isadapted to be angularly adjusted, a chair back pivotally mounted on saidcross rod, an articulated and adjustable parallelogram frame connectingthe chair back and the forward portion of the seat, a clutch-providedsleeve member pivotally carried by said cross rod, an elongated memberextending through said sleeve member and connected at one end to saidarticulated frame to articulate said frame and, thereby, adjust theangle of the chair back relative to the chair seat, the clutch of saidsleeve locking the elongated member and the adjustment of the back, anda jack device interconnecting said stand and the forward portion of theseat to move the seat and back simultaneously and adjust the anglethereof relative to the frame by swinging movement on said cross bar.

5. The combination according to claim 4: an operating handle on theelongated member and an operating handle on the jack device, both saidhandles being disposed between the stand frames and directed frombeneath the seat toward the rear of the stand.

6. An articulated chair comprising a seat, a back pivoted at the rear ofsaid seat, a foot support pivoted at the front of said seat, meansinterconnecting the back and the foot support to cause pivotal movementof one in response to pivotal movement of the other relative to saidseat, independently adjustable means between said interconnecting meansand the foot support to vary the angle of the latter relative to theseat, said foot support comprising a frame depending from a hinge on theseat, a frame slidable on said hinged frame and provided with a footrest, and a link interconnecting the slidable frame and the seat andpivotally connected to said seat forward of the hinge of the hingedframe, whereby pivotal movement of the hinged frame causes both pivotaland sliding movement of the frame having the foot rest.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 667,869 Davidson Feb. 12, 1901 1,053,214 Poll Feb. 18, 19131,111,685 Allison Sept. 22, 1914 1,151,414 Steinbach Aug. 24, 19152,104,830 Collard Jan. 11, 1938 2,146,191 Peters Feb. 7, 1939 2,269,918Sill Ian. 13, 1942 2,278,078 Kahn Mar. 31, 1942 2,445,870 Maxson July27, 1948 2,517,037 Shaw Aug. 1, 1950 2,520,309 Everest4 etl al. Aug. 29,1950 2,531,045 Hoffman Nov. 21, 1950 2,578,311 Lorenz Dec. l1, 1951FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 969,883 France May 31, 1950

